Exodus 3:18 - They will listen to your voice, and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.’
Select Bible Verse
Filter Categories
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
What does "Exodus 3:18" mean?
This verse, Exodus 3:18, is a crucial part of God's instructions to Moses about confronting Pharaoh and leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"They will listen to your voice...": This is God's reassurance to Moses that the elders of Israel will believe him and accept his leadership. Moses was hesitant and unsure of his ability to convince the Israelites, so God is giving him confidence.
"...and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt...": Moses is not to confront Pharaoh alone. He is to bring the respected elders of Israel with him, representing the entire people. This shows a united front and adds weight to their request.
"...and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us...’": This is the specific message Moses is to deliver to Pharaoh. It's a declaration of God's presence and authority. By identifying God as "the God of the Hebrews," they are highlighting that He is the God of their people, separate from the Egyptian gods.
"...Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.’": This is the stated reason for their request. It's a seemingly simple and reasonable plea: to take a short journey to offer sacrifices to their God. This is important for a few reasons:
The Short Request: The three-day journey is a limited, seemingly temporary request. It might be seen as less threatening to Pharaoh than a demand for permanent freedom.
Worship as the Goal: Their primary purpose, at least in this initial request, is presented as religious observance. It frames their desire in terms of worship and devotion, potentially appealing to Pharaoh's religious sensibilities.
Subtlety and Gradualism: While the ultimate goal is freedom from slavery, God is instructing Moses to approach Pharaoh gradually. This request is a first step, a test of Pharaoh's willingness to concede even a small point.
Overall Significance
Divine Authority: The verse emphasizes God's authority and His intervention in the lives of the Israelites. He is the one commanding their liberation.
Faith and Obedience: It highlights Moses' need to trust God's instructions and to lead the Israelites in faith.
Diplomacy and Strategy: The verse reveals a strategic approach to negotiating with Pharaoh. It involves a measured request, a clear declaration of faith, and a gradual progression towards the ultimate goal of freedom.
Foreshadowing: It also foreshadows the coming conflict. While the request seems simple, it sets the stage for a clash of wills between God and Pharaoh, ultimately leading to the plagues and the Exodus.
In essence, Exodus 3:18 is a pivotal verse that outlines God's plan to begin the liberation of the Israelites from slavery, starting with a seemingly modest request that masks a deeper, more profound purpose.
Exodus 3:18 - They will listen to your voice, and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt, and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us. Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.’
What does "Exodus 3:18" mean?
This verse, Exodus 3:18, is a crucial part of God's instructions to Moses about confronting Pharaoh and leading the Israelites out of Egypt. Here's a breakdown of its meaning:
"They will listen to your voice...": This is God's reassurance to Moses that the elders of Israel will believe him and accept his leadership. Moses was hesitant and unsure of his ability to convince the Israelites, so God is giving him confidence.
"...and you shall come, you and the elders of Israel, to the king of Egypt...": Moses is not to confront Pharaoh alone. He is to bring the respected elders of Israel with him, representing the entire people. This shows a united front and adds weight to their request.
"...and you shall tell him, ‘Yahweh, the God of the Hebrews, has met with us...’": This is the specific message Moses is to deliver to Pharaoh. It's a declaration of God's presence and authority. By identifying God as "the God of the Hebrews," they are highlighting that He is the God of their people, separate from the Egyptian gods.
"...Now please let us go three days’ journey into the wilderness, that we may sacrifice to Yahweh, our God.’": This is the stated reason for their request. It's a seemingly simple and reasonable plea: to take a short journey to offer sacrifices to their God. This is important for a few reasons:
The Short Request: The three-day journey is a limited, seemingly temporary request. It might be seen as less threatening to Pharaoh than a demand for permanent freedom.
Worship as the Goal: Their primary purpose, at least in this initial request, is presented as religious observance. It frames their desire in terms of worship and devotion, potentially appealing to Pharaoh's religious sensibilities.
Subtlety and Gradualism: While the ultimate goal is freedom from slavery, God is instructing Moses to approach Pharaoh gradually. This request is a first step, a test of Pharaoh's willingness to concede even a small point.
Overall Significance
Divine Authority: The verse emphasizes God's authority and His intervention in the lives of the Israelites. He is the one commanding their liberation.
Faith and Obedience: It highlights Moses' need to trust God's instructions and to lead the Israelites in faith.
Diplomacy and Strategy: The verse reveals a strategic approach to negotiating with Pharaoh. It involves a measured request, a clear declaration of faith, and a gradual progression towards the ultimate goal of freedom.
Foreshadowing: It also foreshadows the coming conflict. While the request seems simple, it sets the stage for a clash of wills between God and Pharaoh, ultimately leading to the plagues and the Exodus.
In essence, Exodus 3:18 is a pivotal verse that outlines God's plan to begin the liberation of the Israelites from slavery, starting with a seemingly modest request that masks a deeper, more profound purpose.